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Oddly enough, despite the adjective beag ('small'), it is actually higher than Slieve Meelmore, so perhaps it is a question of bulk rather than height.
Slieve Meelbeg is the 111th highest place in Ireland.Trackback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/103/?PHPSESSID=pgg9oe64s4i2dsnuqh1cuaoqq2

Slieve Meelbeg is usually considered to be the twin of the adjacent Slieve Meelmore, the higher of the two despite what might be inferred from the name. It is a steep-sided but relatively unremarkable hill with little in the way of crags, and the Mourne Wall continues its course over the summit.

Ascents will generally be made from the Trassey Road from the north and west.

The most commonly used ascent is via the Trassey Track itself, starting from the road near the substantial car park at (311315A), following the track up to the dramatic col between Slieves Bearnagh and Meelmore. From here the summit is gained either by following the Mourne Wall over Meelmore, or by following a track contouring under the south side of that mountain to the col between it and Meelbeg, following the Mourne Wall up from there.

One can also start from the picnic site further up the road (292297B), from here a path can be followed up the stream valley falling from the Meelmore/Meelbeg col. The stream guides the way once the path fades although the ground is rough and boggy, and the summit is easily gained following the wall from the col.

In addition, the Ott Track can be followed from (280279C) to the col between Carn Mountain and Slieve Loughshannagh; from here the Mourne Wall leads over the latter's summit and up onto Meelbeg itself.

A further approach is possible from the other side, making one's way from the Silent Valley up to the Ben Crom Dam, crossing the dam and then following the path under Ben Crom into the valley of the Ben Crom River. A sometimes boggy path leads up this stream to the foot of Meelbeg, and a steep and pathless but otherwise straightforward climb then gains the summit. (This route from the dam is crucial during the Mourne Seven Sevens challenge walk).

As with all the High Mournes the views from Meelbeg are very fine, especially north-west over the rolling country of mid County Down. Trackback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/103/comment/4863/

Picture from simon3

simon3 on Slieve Meelbeg, 2004

by simon3 4 Jan 2004

This view could be seen just after sunset one late December day. To the right of the picture is the dark outline of Cock Mountain. Rising impressively on the skyline is Slieve Gullion, some 19k to the west. Trackback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/103/comment/793/

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Picture from darrenf

darrenf on Slieve Meelbeg, 2010

by darrenf 8 Jan 2010

From Slieve Loughshannagh Meelbeg is an obvious extension. Slieve Meelbeg offers great views across to Fofanny Dam, Lough Shannagh, Blue Lough and across the entire mourne range. Yes yes it could be said that this is a somewhat mediocre summit but given the views mentioned, its easy access and scope for further walk extenions in almost every direction i think this is a super little summit! Ok, maybe the snow conditions on the day gave me a different perspective. From the summit we returned to the stile at the coll between Meelbeg and Loughshannagh and from here headed directly for the Ott road carpark. A short skip along the Ott road brought us safely back to our start position. Trackback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/103/comment/4347/

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Picture from tsunami

tsunami on Slieve Meelbeg, 2005

by tsunami 3 Jan 2005

There's nothing terribly fantastic about Meelbeg. It doesn't have the brilliant rock formations which can be seen on Bearnagh or Binnian. It isn't just as nicely placed as its brother Meelmore, nor is it quite as challenging a climb. It is best enjoyed as part of longer walk around the wall, in a similar vein to Slievenaglogh or Slieve Corragh - stop for two minutes on top to catch your breath and take a couple of photos and quickly move along to the next one. There are three main approaches to consider, each of which offer some degree of variation so as not to get bored! 1) Follow the Ott track to the shoulder between Carn and Slieve Loughshannagh, then as usual follow the wall across Slieve Loughshannagh and onto Meelbeg. 2) From the picnic site on Trassey Road, follow the rough pathway halfway up the valley between Meelbeg and Meelmore and then follow the river ontowards the wall on the shoulder between the two - waych your footing here, as the path runs out the ground gets rather uneven and at times boggy. 3) Everyones favorite - The Trassey Track from Meelmore Lodge, to the col between Bearnagh and Meelmore at Pollaphuca and then decide whether or not to tackle Meelmore first or contour around to the wall at the same point as route two. The photo shows the nice view of Bearnagh and Donard from Meelbegs summit. The views are rewarding, make no mistake, its just that theres nothing of any character to capture the imagination when you're here - this view shows clearly why you should move quickly onwards to Bearnagh and beyond! Trackback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/103/comment/1399/

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Picture from Alex92

Alex92 on Slieve Meelbeg, 2007

by Alex92 13 Feb 2007

I hiked up Meelbeg with my dad on Saturday (10/2/2007). Walking up the track, we were surprised by how deep the snow was, (up to a foot just on the track). But nothing prepared us for the shock we got once we reached the wall. The snow had drifted and was the same height as the wall, and in some places completely covered it. The wall at this stage was over 6 foot tall! Trackback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/103/comment/2618/

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Picture from csd : The view south from the summit.

Picture: The view south from the summit.

csd on Slieve Meelbeg, 2006

by csd 26 Feb 2006

I have to agree with tsunami on this one. It's one of the Mournes' more mediocre summits. That said, it can be completed in less than two hours if bagging a new summit is all you're after. I parked at the small car park at J 280 279D (which fills up quickly on fine days) and marched up the track that skirts the northern slopes of Ott Mountain. Once you hit the wall, turn left up towards Slieve Loughshannagh, which you'll summit before the depressing 100 metre drop before a 200 metre climb up to Slieve Meelbeg. I then headed for the southern end of Forfanny reservoir before heading back to the road. Trackback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/103/comment/2202/